Rother

Rother's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in housing tenure, health and work life.

The population reached nearly 91,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Rother increased by 6.0%, from about 85,400 to 90,600.

The addition of just under 5,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Rother was home to, on average, 1.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw England's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) people aged 16 and over in Rother said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 10% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 56% to 52%.

The largest increase occurred in Isles of Scilly (from 8.4% to 11%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw England's second-largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.0%) in Rother reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.2% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.0% to 1.4%.

The largest increase occurred in East Lindsey (from 3.3% to 4.1%).

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Rother remained close to 3.0%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Rother by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Rother

The number of people in Rother from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 84,000 in 2001 to about 88,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 98% to 97%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Rother from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 520 in 2001 to just over 1,100 in 2011 (from 0.6% to 1.2%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 530 to about 1,000 (from 0.6% to 1.1%).

Just under 310 people (0.2%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 170 in 2001 (0.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Rother remained close to 97%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Rother by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rother stood out from other areas for work life

In Rother, the proportion went up from 42% in 2001 to 43% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion fell from 55% to 54%.

The rate of unemployment in Rother increased from 2.3% to 3.2%, while the rate of self-employment increased from 14% to 15%.

The rate of employment was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Housing in Rother

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in Rother, but at a slower rate than in nearby Maidstone.

In Rother, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 78% in 2001 to 74% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Maidstone decreased from 77% to 70%.

Across the South East, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 73% to 67%.

Private renting in Rother increased from 9.3% to 14%, while the rate of social housing decreased from 11% to 10%.

The rate of home ownership was higher than across the South East

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

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